Back to GetFilings.com



Table of Contents

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

Form 10-K

 


 

(Mark One)

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended March 29, 2004

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission file number 1-11112

 


 

American Media Operations, Inc.

(Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   59-2094424

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employee

Identification No.)

1000 American Media Way, Boca Raton, Florida   33464
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

(561) 997-7733

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) and 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

As of June 28, 2004, 7,507.6 shares of registrant’s common stock were outstanding. The common stock is privately held and, to the knowledge of registrant, no shares have been sold in the past 60 days.

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference

None

 


 


Table of Contents

AMERICAN MEDIA OPERATIONS, INC.

 

FORM 10-K

 

For the Year Ended March 29, 2004

 

    PART I     

Item 1.

  Business    3

Item 2.

  Properties    9

Item 3.

  Legal Proceedings    10

Item 4.

  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    10
    PART II     

Item 5.

  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Security Holders    11

Item 6.

  Selected Financial Data    11

Item 7.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    12

Item 7A.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks    21

Item 8.

  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    22

Item 9.

  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    45

Item 9A.

  Controls and Procedures    45
    PART III     

Item 10.

  Directors and Executive Officers    45

Item 11.

  Executive Compensation    47

Item 12.

  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management    48

Item 13.

  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions    49

Item 14.

  Principal Accountant Fees and Services    51
    PART IV     

Item 15.

  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K    52
    Signatures    55

 

2


Table of Contents

PART I

 

Item 1. Business

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Form 10-K to the “Company” or “us”, “we” or “our” are to American Media Operations, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All references to a particular fiscal year are to the four fiscal quarters ended the last Monday in March of the fiscal year specified.

 

We were incorporated under the laws of Delaware in February 1981 and are a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Media, Inc. (“Media,” or, together with its subsidiaries, “AMI”). We conduct all of Media’s operations and represent substantially all of Media’s assets. Our headquarters and principal executive offices are located at 1000 American Media Way, Boca Raton, FL 33464 and our telephone number is (561) 997-7733.

 

On May 7, 1999 all of the common stock of Media was purchased by EMP Group LLC (the “LLC”), a Delaware limited liability company, pursuant to a merger of Media and EMP Acquisition Corp. (“EMP”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the LLC. The acquisition was financed, in part, by borrowings of approximately $350 million under a new $400 million senior bank facility (the “Credit Agreement”), as well as a cash equity investment by the LLC and borrowings in the form of senior subordinated notes. Upon consummation of this transaction, EMP was merged with and into Media (the “Merger”) resulting in a change in ownership control of both Media and the Company. As a result of this change in control, as of the Merger date we reflected a new basis of accounting that included the elimination of historical amounts of certain assets and liabilities and the revaluation of certain of our tangible and intangible assets.

 

On November 1, 1999, we acquired all of the common stock of Globe Communications Corp. and certain of the publishing assets and liabilities of Globe International, Inc. (collectively, the “Globe Properties”) for total consideration of approximately $105 million (the “Globe Acquisition”). The Globe Properties consist of several tabloid style magazines, including Globe, National Examiner and Sun as well as other titles including Mini Mags.

 

On February 14, 2002, we issued $150 million in aggregate principal amount of 10.25% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009 through a private placement. The gross proceeds from the offering were approximately $150.8 million including the premium on the notes. We used the gross proceeds of the offering to (a) make an approximately $75.4 million distribution to the LLC, (b) to prepay approximately $68.4 million of the term loans under our credit facility and (c) pay transaction costs. The notes are unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to all our existing and future senior indebtedness. The notes rank equally with all our existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness. The notes are guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by all our current domestic subsidiaries.

 

On January 23, 2003, we acquired Weider Publications LLC, a newly formed company to which the magazine business of Weider Publications, Inc. and Weider Interactive Networks, Inc. had been contributed by Weider Health and Fitness, Weider Health and Fitness, LLC and Weider Interactive Networks, Inc. (collectively, “Weider” or the “Weider Properties”). The aggregate purchase price paid by us was $357.3 million, which includes a post-closing working capital adjustment of $7.3 million. Weider is the leading worldwide publisher of health and fitness magazines, with a total estimated readership of 24 million in the United States, more than any other publisher in the health and fitness category. Weider currently publishes eight magazines, including Muscle & Fitness, Shape, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Flex, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health and Shape en Espanol, with an aggregate average circulation of approximately 4.1 million copies. In connection with the acquisition of the Weider Properties, Media borrowed $140 million in a new tranche C-1 term loan and $150 million in senior subordinated notes, and issued $50 million of new equity in the LLC (of which approximately $8.8 million was an equity contribution from the Sellers).

 

As previously mentioned in connection with the Weider Properties, we issued $150 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.875% senior subordinated notes due 2011. The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $145.9 million including the discount on the notes. We used the net proceeds of the offering to fund a portion of the acquisition of Weider Publications LLC. The notes are unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to all our existing and future senior indebtedness. The notes rank equally with all our existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness. The notes are guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by all our current domestic subsidiaries.

 

Our Boca Raton headquarters, which housed substantially all of our editorial operations (including its photo, clipping and research libraries), executive offices and certain administrative functions, was closed on October 7, 2001 by the Palm Beach County

 

3


Table of Contents

Department of Health when traces of anthrax were found on a computer keyboard following the death of a photo editor of the Sun from inhalation anthrax. The Company entered into a two-year lease for a 53,000 square foot facility two blocks from its current Boca Raton headquarters. In February 2002, the Palm Beach County of Health quarantined the building for an additional 18 months.

 

In May 2002, we and our insurance carrier reached a final compromise regarding our insurance claim and the Company received a compromised payment. The insurance proceeds resulted in a net gain on the insurance settlement of approximately $7.6 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, the Company incurred costs for maintaining the Boca facility such as security and utilities, which have been netted against the gain on insurance settlement.

 

On April 17, 2003, we sold our anthrax-contaminated headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida to 5401 Broken Sound LLC. As a result of the sale, we extended our lease in the 53,000 square foot facility described above. 5401 Broken Sound LLC paid $40,000 as consideration for the transfer of ownership and all future liabilities that can occur with the building.

 

On April 17, 2003, we completed a series of transactions whereby principals and affiliates of Evercore Partners (“Evercore”) and Thomas H. Lee Partners (“T.H. Lee”), David J. Pecker (the Chief Executive Officer of the Company), other members of management and certain other investors contributed approximately $434.6 million in cash and existing ownership interests of the LLC, our ultimate parent, valued at approximately $73.3 million, to a merger vehicle which was merged with and into the LLC in exchange for newly issued ownership interests of the LLC. These transactions are referred to collectively as the “Recapitalization” in this Form 10-K. Please see “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” for a summary of our ownership structure and Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Industry Data and Circulation Information

 

Information contained in this Form 10-K concerning publishing industry data, circulation information, rankings, readership information (e.g., multiple readers per copy) and other industry and market information, including our general expectations concerning the publishing industry, are based on estimates prepared by us based on certain assumptions and our knowledge of the publishing industry as well as data from various third party sources. These sources include, but are not limited to, the report of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (“ABC”), BPA Circulation Statements, Statement of Ownership figures filed with the U.S. Postal Service, Mediamark Research Inc. (“MRI”) syndicated research data and Veronis Suhler Stevenson research data. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding any industry data presented in this Form 10-K we have not independently verified any of the data from any of these sources and, as a result, this data may be imprecise. Our estimates, in particular as they relate to our general expectations concerning the publishing industry, involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all average weekly circulation information for our tabloid publications is an average of actual weekly single copy circulation for the fiscal year ended March 29, 2004. Unless otherwise indicated, all average circulation information for Weider’s publications is an average of actual per issue circulation for the twelve months ended March 29, 2004. All references to “circulation” are to single copy and subscription circulation, unless otherwise specified.

 

The Company

 

Overview

 

We are a leading publisher in the field of general interest magazines, publishing National Enquirer, Star, Globe, National Examiner, Weekly World News, Sun, Country Weekly, MIRA!, Muscle & Fitness, Shape, Shape en Espanol, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Flex, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health and other monthly publications. Among our weekly periodicals, National Enquirer, Star, and Globe, have the third, fourth and eighth highest weekly single copy circulation, respectively, of any weekly periodical in the United States. We are the leader in total weekly single copy circulation of magazines in the United States and Canada with approximately 35% of total U.S. and Canadian circulation for audited weekly publications. Total average circulation per issue is approximately 5.7 million copies for our consumer publications (including Star magazine) and 2.7 million copies for our tabloid publications, for an aggregate average circulation of 8.4 million copies.

 

On January 23, 2003, we acquired Weider Publications LLC, a privately held company controlled by Weider Health and Fitness. Weider is the leading worldwide publisher of health and fitness magazines, with a total estimated readership of 24 million in the United States, more than any other publisher in the health and fitness category. The health and fitness category is the fastest growing advertising segment of special interest magazines. Weider currently publishes eight magazines, including Muscle & Fitness, Shape, Shape en Espanol, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Flex, Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health, with an aggregate average circulation of approximately 4 million copies.

 

4


Table of Contents

We derive approximately 65% of our revenues from circulation, predominantly single copy sales in retail outlets, and the remainder from advertising and other sources. Our publications are distributed in approximately 145,000 retail outlets in the United States and Canada, representing, in the opinion of management, substantially complete coverage of periodical outlets in these countries. Distribution Services, Inc. (“DSI”), our subsidiary, arranges for the placement, merchandising, and sales and marketing of our publications and third-party publications at retail outlets throughout the United States and Canada. In addition, DSI provides sales of marketing, merchandising and information-gathering services for third parties including non-magazine clients.

 

Our tabloid publications include the following titles:

 

  National Enquirer is a weekly general interest publication with an editorial content devoted to celebrities, investigative reporting, human interest stories and articles covering lifestyle topics such as crime, health and food. National Enquirer is the third highest selling weekly periodical based on U.S., Canadian and U.K. single copy circulation. AMI sells on average 1.2 million single copies of National Enquirer per week in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. National Enquirer has a total average weekly circulation of approximately 1.5 million copies, including subscriptions, with a total estimated readership in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom of 11.7 million.

 

  Globe is a weekly tabloid with celebrity features that are edgier than National Enquirer, with a greater emphasis on investigative crime stories. Globe is the eight highest selling weekly periodical in the United States and Canada based on single copy circulation, selling on average 482,000 copies per week. Globe has a total average weekly circulation of approximately 527,000 copies, including subscriptions, with an estimated readership of 3.7 million.

 

  National Examiner’s editorial content consists of celebrity and human-interest stories, differentiating it from the other titles through its upbeat positioning as the “gossip, contests, women’s service and good news” tabloid. National Examiner has an average weekly single copy circulation of 217,000 copies, with a total average weekly circulation of approximately 234,000 copies, including subscriptions. Total readership is estimated at 1.6 million.

 

  Weekly World News is a tabloid devoted to the publication of bizarre and strange stories. There is much humorous original content and the paper has created several characters that have become staples of pop culture. Weekly World News has an average weekly single copy circulation of 153,000 copies, with a total average weekly circulation of approximately 167,000 copies, including subscriptions. Total readership is estimated at 1.2 million.

 

  Sun’s editorial content is skewed to an older target audience and focuses on religion, health, holistic remedies, predictions and prophecies. Sun also includes entertaining and unusual articles from around the world. Sun has an average weekly single copy circulation of approximately 120,000 copies, including subscriptions, with a total readership estimated at 721,000.

 

  Mira! is a Spanish language tabloid that features exclusive news, gossip and goings-on about the hottest stars in the Latino community, along with interviews and in-depth stories spotlighting them at work and at play. It is distributed at checkout counters in mass merchandisers, supermarkets and bodegas in the top 43 Hispanic markets in the United States. The magazine was launched in June 2000 and has a total bi-weekly circulation of approximately 120,000 copies including subscriptions and an estimated total readership of 893,000. It is the largest newsstand Hispanic magazine in the United States.

 

Our consumer publications include the following titles:

 

  Star is a weekly celebrity news-based magazine dedicated to covering the stars of movies, television and music, as well as the lives of the rich and famous from politics, business, royalty and other areas. Star’s editorial content also incorporates fashion, health, fitness and diet features, all with a celebrity spin. Star is the fourth highest selling weekly periodical in the United States and Canada based on single copy circulation, selling on average 943,000 copies per week. Star has a total average weekly circulation of approximately 1.2 million copies, including subscriptions, with a total estimated readership in the United States and Canada of 7.8 million.

 

  Muscle & Fitness is the preeminent monthly fitness training magazine, appealing to exercise enthusiasts and athletes of all ages, especially those focused on resistance training, body fat control and sports nutrition. Muscle & Fitness has 65 years of brand equity and has served as a successful brand extension foundation for new titles. Muscle & Fitness has a total average monthly circulation of approximately 459,000 copies, with monthly subscriptions of 261,000, and an estimated total readership of 7.0 million based on an estimated 15 readers per copy.

 

5


Table of Contents
  Shape is the leader in circulation and advertising revenues in the attractive women’s active lifestyle category. Shape’s mission is to help women lead a healthier lifestyle by providing information on exercise techniques, nutrition, psychology, beauty and other inspirational topics. Shape has a total average monthly circulation of approximately 1.6 million copies, with monthly subscriptions of 1.2 million, and an estimated total readership of 5.6 million.

 

  Men’s Fitness is a leading monthly magazine for men 18-34 years old with active lifestyles. The magazine promotes a multi-training approach towards exercise and offers information and advice in the areas of fitness, career, and relationships. Men’s Fitness has a total average monthly circulation of approximately 619,000 copies, with monthly subscriptions of 517,000, and an estimated total readership of 5.1 million.

 

  Muscle & Fitness Hers was launched in 2000 as a female focused magazine from Muscle & Fitness. The magazine targets the underserved market of female fitness enthusiasts and athletes. The editorial style and content emphasizes resistance training and sports nutrition designed to improve physical appearance, strength, health and sports performance. Muscle & Fitness Hers has a total average circulation per issue of approximately 225,000 copies, with subscriptions per issue of 94,000, and an estimated total readership of 1.1 million.

 

  Flex, which was spun off from Muscle & Fitness in 1983, is a monthly magazine devoted to professional bodybuilding. The magazine delivers nutrition and performance science information for bodybuilding enthusiasts. As Flex is a premier title in the bodybuilding segment it receives a significant share of advertising devoted to the sports nutritional and vitamin business. Flex has a total average monthly circulation of approximately 146,000 copies, with monthly subscriptions of 54,000, and an estimated total readership of 875,000.

 

  Fit Pregnancy was spun off from Shape in 1995. Fit Pregnancy’s editorial focus makes it a premier lifestyle magazine for women during pregnancy and the first couple of years after childbirth. Fit Pregnancy delivers authoritative information on health, fashion, food and fitness. Fit Pregnancy recently increased its editorial emphasis on the two-year postpartum period and as a result has expanded its postnatal products advertising. Fit Pregnancy has a total average circulation per issue of approximately 514,000 copies, with subscriptions per issue of 408,000, and an estimated total readership of 1.8 million.

 

  Natural Health is a leading wellness magazine published ten times a year, offering readers practical information to benefit from the latest scientific knowledge and advancements in the field of natural health, including advice to improve well-being and combat illness. Published for more than 30 years, Natural Health is one of the longest continuously published and most widely read paid publications in its field. Natural Health has a total average circulation per issue of approximately 317,000 copies, with subscriptions per issue of 266,000, and an estimated total readership of 1.6 million.

 

  Shape en Espanol gives its readers the latest fitness, diet, health, nutrition, family, beauty and fashion information. While 50% of the editorial is derived from the pages of Shape, the majority is original content produced specifically for Latin women between the ages of 18 and 35. This gives Shape en Espanol a unique voice in the Hispanic community and makes it the only active lifestyle Spanish-language publication. Shape en Espanol has a total average circulation per issue of approximately 77,000 copies, with subscriptions per issue of 52,000, and an estimated readership of 308,000.

 

  Country Weekly is an entertainment magazine presenting various aspects of country music and related lifestyles, events and personalities, and has the highest bi-weekly circulation of any such magazine in its category. Country Weekly is a bi-weekly publication and has an average single copy circulation of 181,000 copies, with a total average bi-weekly circulation of approximately 434,000 copies, including subscriptions. Total readership is estimated at 3.8 million.

 

  Quick! Digests are pocket-sized digest magazines covering such topics as parents’ relationships with their children, diets, health, music, pop culture, horoscopes, astrology and pets. We believe we are the largest such publisher in the field, producing approximately 100 million copies annually with 1.1 million positions of retail.

 

  New Media. We have web sites for Star (starmagazine.com), Muscle & Fitness (muscleandfitness.com), Flex (flexonline.com), Men’s Fitness (mensfitness.com), Muscle & Fitness Hers (muscleandfitnesshers.com), Shape (shape.com), Natural Health (naturalhealthmagazine.com), Fit Pregnancy (fitpregnancy.com), National Enquirer (nationalenquirer.com), Country Weekly (countryweekly.com) and Weekly World News (weeklyworldnews.com). Additionally, we maintain an online fitness portal (fitnessonline.com) and also sell a paid subscription based interactive online weight loss & exercise program (iShape.com).

 

6


Table of Contents

Circulation

 

Total average circulation per issue is approximately 5.7 million copies for our consumer publications and 2.7 million copies for our tabloid publications, for an aggregate average circulation of 8.4 million copies. Our tabloid titles have historically had greater single copy circulation while our consumer titles are more subscription based. For fiscal 2004, approximately 84% of circulation revenue and 55% of total operating revenue were generated by single copy circulation and the remainder of circulation revenues by subscriptions.

 

Subscription Sales

 

Our strategy with respect to subscriptions seeks to optimize subscription revenues and profitability as opposed to subscription circulation. We accomplish this strategy by focusing on direct sales of our titles by us through inserts, direct mailings and in-house advertisements in the respective magazines. In fiscal 2004, approximately 16% of our total revenues from circulation were from subscription sales.

 

Advertising Revenues

 

Our advertising revenues are generated by national advertisers, including automotive, entertainment, packaged goods, pharmaceutical, sports apparel, beauty and cosmetics, tobacco and direct response. The average ad pages for the period from January to December 2003, as measured by the Publishers Information Bureau, were flat over the prior year period for National Enquirer and Star, while the overall industry was down 1.0%.

 

Production and Distribution

 

An outside vendor performs most of the pre-press operations for our publications and is responsible for transmitting them electronically to printing plants. We have a long-term printing agreement with a printer to print National Enquirer, Star, Globe, National Examiner, Weekly World News, Sun and Country Weekly through December 2015 for sales in the United States, Canada and, to the extent applicable, outside of North America (except for the United Kingdom). National Enquirer has a special United Kingdom edition, which is printed by another printer. A different party performs the pre-press operations for the Weider publications and is responsible for transmitting them electronically to plants. This same vendor also performs the printing for the Weider publications. Both the pre-press and printing contracts for the Weider publications expire in December 2005.

 

Once printed, the copies are distributed primarily by 4 regional wholesalers, who we estimate represent 82% of the newsstand distribution market, as well as several smaller wholesalers who represent the remaining 18%, in the United States and Canada, who deliver the requisite number of copies to approximately 145,000 retail sales locations. We believe our relationships with our printing companies are adequate and that there are printing facilities available elsewhere, should the need arise.

 

The principal raw materials utilized by our publications are paper and ink. Paper is purchased directly from several suppliers based upon pricing and, to a lesser extent, availability. Both paper and ink are commodity products with pricing affected by demand, capacity and economic conditions. We believe that adequate sources of supply are, and will continue to be, available to fulfill our requirements. Our operating income may be significantly affected by the price of paper used in our publications. We have currently committed a significant portion of our volume and pricing requirements with our major suppliers through December 2005.

 

Marketing and Merchandising

 

We have established, through DSI, our own marketing organization whose primary function is to arrange for the sales and marketing, placement and merchandising of our publications and third-party publications at retail outlets throughout the United States and Canada.

 

In addition to the services DSI provides for our publications, DSI acts as a “category captain” for approximately 40% (based on our estimates) of all new front-end racking programs accounting for 65% of all the racks placed annually in the United States and Canada by supermarkets and other retailers. Recently, DSI has begun to leverage its network of field representatives, which are regularly in retail outlets performing its services, by expanding its services to provide merchandising, resetting of rack programs and other information gathering services to consumer product companies outside the publishing industry. We have expanded the distribution of the Weider titles since the acquisition of the Weider Properties utilizing DSI’s retail relationships.

 

7


Table of Contents

Approximately every three years, supermarkets and other retailers typically redesign their front-end racks, generally as part of store renovations or new store openings. As a “category captain,” DSI is selected by retailers to coordinate the design and installation of the front-end racks and the positioning of magazines for increased sales. Publishers, including AMI, which are allocated space on a rack enter into contracts directly with the retailer for the payment of fees (rack display payments) or other charges with respect to that space. DSI uses its role as category captain of new front-end rack programs initiated annually by retailers in the United States to achieve better placement of our publications and of the publications of DSI’s third-party publishing clients.

 

Some of DSI’s third-party clients include Hachette, which publishes Woman’s Day and Elle; Gruner + Jahr, which publishes Family Circle, Fitness, Parents and YM; Newsweek, Inc., which publishes Newsweek; Bauer Publishing, which publishes First for Women, Woman’s World and In-Touch; Rodale, Inc., which publishes Prevention, Men’s Health and Organic Style; General Mills, which publishes Pillsbury and Betty Crocker; and New York Magazine Holdings, which publishes New York Magazine and Specials.

 

Other Businesses

 

On November 27, 2000, we sold our 80% owned subsidiary, Frontline Marketing (“FMI”), to the minority shareholder for a $2.5 million note receivable. (See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

We also had ancillary sales (primarily licensing, syndication, new media and product merchandise sales) of $8.3 million in fiscal 2004.

 

In connection with the Weider acquisition, we acquired Weider Interactive Networks, Inc. (“WIN”). WIN houses the online operations for Weider. WIN develops and tests new interactive consumer fitness information products in an effort to develop new revenue streams for Weider. In addition, WIN creates and operates companion websites and web-delivered applications for Weider’s branded businesses, delivering both development expertise and networking services. Revenues are generated primarily from a subscription based interactive on-line weight loss and exercise program (ishape.com), but also include advertising and branded product sales.

 

Competition

 

Star, National Enquirer, Globe, National Examiner, Weekly World News, Sun, Mira!, and Country Weekly compete in varying degrees with other publications sold at retailers’ checkout counters, as well as forms of media concentrating on celebrity news, such as certain newspapers, magazines and television and radio programs. We believe that historical declines in single copy circulation of Star, National Enquirer, Globe and National Examiner have resulted in part from increased competition from these publications and forms of media. Competition for circulation is largely based upon the content of the publication, its placement in retail outlets and, to a lesser extent, its price. As part of our re-launch of Star as a 100 page glossy magazine, we physically moved Star copies in most retail outlets to be next to People magazine and away from the tabloid publications. Competition for advertising revenues is largely based upon circulation levels, readership, demographics, price and advertising results. We believe that our most significant direct competitors in the print media are Time Warner Inc. (which publishes People, In Style and Entertainment Weekly), Wenner Media, Inc. (which publishes US Weekly), and Bauer (which publishes In-Touch).

 

Each of our Weider specialty consumer magazines faces competition in its subject area from a variety of publishers and competes for readers on the basis of the high quality of its targeted editorial content. Competition for advertising revenues is largely based upon circulation levels, readership, demographics, price and advertising results. We believe that Weider’s most significant direct competitors include Conde Nast Publications, Inc. (which publishes Self), Gruner + Jahr Publishing (which publishes Fitness, Parents and Child), Rodale Inc. (which publishes Men’s Health and Organic Style), Wenner Media, Inc. (which publishes Men’s Journal), Advanced Research Press (which publishes Muscular Development) and Muscle Media Publishing (which publishes Muscle Media).

 

DSI competes with two other companies providing marketing and distribution services.

 

Employee Relations

 

We currently employ approximately 976 full-time employees and 1,387 part-time employees. Approximately 1,582 of our employees, including almost all of our part-time employees, work for DSI. None of our employees are represented by any union or other labor organization. We have had no strikes or work stoppages during the last five years. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.

 

8


Table of Contents

Item 2. Properties

 

Our Boca Raton headquarters, which housed substantially all editorial operations (including photo, clipping and research libraries), executive offices and certain administrative functions, was closed on October 7, 2001 by the Palm Beach County Health Department when traces of anthrax were found on a computer keyboard following the death of one of our photo editors from inhalation anthrax. In response to the closure of our Boca Raton facility, we immediately implemented our hurricane disaster plan to produce all of our weekly publications as originally scheduled. In February 2002, the Palm Beach County Health Department quarantined the Boca Raton facility for an additional 18 months. We entered into a two year lease for a 53,000 square foot facility two blocks from our Boca Raton headquarters which was due to expire in February 2004. During February 2004, we extended this lease until 2007. In May 2002, we reached a final settlement with our property insurance carrier and received payment. On April 17, 2003, the Company sold its anthrax contaminated headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida to 5401 Broken Sound LLC. 5401 Broken Sound LLC paid $40,000 as consideration for the transfer of ownership.

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our principal locations as of March 29, 2004. We consider the locations presently used for our operations as adequate for our present needs.

 

Location


  

Principal Use


  

Approximate

Square Feet


  

Lease

Expiration Date


Boca Raton, FL

4950 Communication Drive

  

Executive and administrative offices

(Corporate, National Enquirer, Globe, National Examiner, Sun and Weekly World News)

   52,719    Lease expires in 2007

New York, NY

One Park Avenue

  

Executive and administrative offices

(Advertising, Star, Men’s Fitness, Mira!, Shape en Espanol, Thalia and Minimags)

   72,844   

Lease expires in 2005

(sublease expires in 2010)

Woodland Hills, CA

21100 Erwin Street

  

Executive and administrative offices

(Advertising, Shape, Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Natural Health, Fit Pregnancy and Living Fit)

   49,393    Leases expire in 2006 and 2007

Delray Beach, FL

190 Congress Park Drive

  

Executive and administrative offices

(Corporate)

   16,362    Lease expires in 2007

West Palm Beach, FL

580 Village Boulevard

  

Executive and administrative offices

(Distribution Services, Inc.)

   14,606    Lease expires in 2004

Palm City, FL

1995 S.W. Martin Highway

  

Executive and administrative

(Information Technology)

   15,000    Lease expires in 2006

New York, NY

415 Madison Ave.

  

Executive and administrative

(Advertising)

   11,819    Lease expires in 2006

Nashville, Tennessee

118 16th Avenue South

  

Executive and administrative

(Country Weekly)

   4,500    Lease expires in 2006

Santa Monica, CA

520 Broadway

  

Executive and administrative

(Advertising, National Enquirer, Star and Globe)

   7,002    Lease expires in 2007

Detroit, MI

28411 Norwestern Highway

  

Executive and administrative

(Advertising)

   8,599    Leases expire in 2005 and 2007

Chicago, IL

444 N. Michigan Avenue

   Executive and administrative (Advertising)    6,366    Lease expires in 2007

Miami, FL

799 Brickel Plaza

   Executive and administrative (Advertising)    7,302    Lease expires in 2005

Lake Worth, FL

1932 7th Court North

   Warehouse    7,250    Lease expires in 2005

 

9


Table of Contents

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

We are involved in a number of litigation matters which have arisen in the ordinary course of our business. Because the focus of our publications often involves controversial celebrities or subjects, the risk of defamation or invasion of privacy litigation arises in the ordinary course of our business. Our experience suggests that the claims for damages made in such lawsuits are heavily inflated. We do not believe that we are currently party to any pending legal action that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

No items were submitted to a vote of our security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004.

 

10


Table of Contents

PART II

 

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Security Holders

 

All of the Company’s common stock is owned by Media. Accordingly, there is no established public trading market for our common stock.

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

The selected financial data for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended March 29, 2004 below have been derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company, which have been audited by independent certified public accountants. The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. As discussed above, the parent of American Media Operations, Inc. was purchased on May 7, 1999 resulting in a change in the historical cost basis of various assets and liabilities. Accordingly, the historical financial information provided herein, for periods prior to May 7, 1999 is not comparable to post acquisition financial information. For purposes of presentation, all historical financial information for periods prior to May 7, 1999 will be referred to as the “Predecessor Company” and all periods subsequent to May 6, 1999 will be referred to as the “Company”. A solid black vertical line has been inserted in tables where financial information may not be comparable across periods.

 

    

Predecessor

Company


    The Company

 
    

Six Weeks

From

March 30,

Through

May 6,

1999


   

Forty-Six

Weeks from

May 7, 1999

through

March 27,

2000


   

Fiscal Year

Ended

March 26,

2001


   

Fiscal Year

Ended

March 25,

2002


   

Fiscal Year

Ended

March 31,

2003(1)


   

Fiscal Year
Ended

March 29,
2004


 
           ($’s in thousands)                    

Statement of Income (Loss) Data:

                                                

Operating Revenues

   $ 29,535     $ 275,843     $ 372,201     $ 368,131     $ 399,733     $ 515,672  

Operating Expenses(2)

     22,771       236,071       309,631       321,298       283,077       402,071  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Operating Income

     6,764       39,772       62,570       46,833       116,656       113,601  

Interest Expense

     (4,837 )     (57,466 )     (71,742 )     (65,167 )     (60,065 )     (75,001 )

Other Income (Expense), Net(3)

     25       125       751       (139 )     288       (185 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Income (Loss) before Income Taxes and Extraordinary

Charge

     1,952       (17,569 )     (8,421 )     (18,473 )     56,879       38,415  

Income Taxes

     1,365       1,361       6,875       3,009       21,463       14,852  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Income (Loss) before Extraordinary Charge

     587       (18,930 )     (15,296 )     (21,482 )     35,416       23,563  

Extraordinary Charge, net of Income Taxes

     —         (2,581 )     —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net Income (Loss)

   $ 587     $ (21,511 )   $ (15,296 )   $ (21,482 )   $ 35,416     $ 23,563